I am so excited to announce that I will be a part of the Lulu Art Design Team for 2017. Kylie the owner of Lulu Art asked me to have a chat over a virtual coffee and let you all know a bit more about myself, so here goes.... A bit about myself Where do I begin, I’m a 40- something artist/crafter who likes to collect fabulous supplies. My husband called me a ‘Sparkle Tart’ and now everyone else does...
Read more →

Today I'm creating a page with Masks. If you saw my last post you'll know that this month I'm playing with Masks and Stencils, and throwing in a few Magical Powder Paints for a little touch of sparkle! I can't wait to show you how I've created my own blue wren mask and then used this as negative space in my art to create a simple, but eye-catching art journal page. Gathered together some favourite supplies: I used my journal,...
Read more →

To kick off the K.I.S.S.ing Class (that's Keep It Simple Sparkly) I thought we would take a quick look at Masks and Stencils and find out what's the difference between the two. For something that many of us use so often, it can be a little bit challenging to wrap our heads around what is a mask and what is a stencil. Masks and stencils are amazingly fabulous art tools that help you reproduce a particular pattern, image, design or...
Read more →

Well, it's all go at my place right now, I'm working on the first clips for my K.I.S.S.ing Class on YouTube - that's Keep It Simply Sparkly for those who need to know. I decided to create a FREE year-long class with a new clip EVERY week to share my first love - sparkles! For the month of February we will be looking at Masks, Stencils and Magicals (powder paints). I can't wait to show you a few great ways...
Read more →

Sparkly hello!!! This week I've had my first look and spent time playing with the new Magical Shakers from Lindy's, released at Creativation 2017 (CHA). There are 10 new colours, and they are a fabulous rainbow of yumminess! Now they are the same formula as normal Magicals (which are a powdered watercolor dye), so you can do all the same things you would normally do, but they are in a fancy new bottle making them easier to use and a...
Read more →

I'm so excited! I had so many people asking me why I was so quiet in the last quarter of 2016 - well it's because I was busily working away on my very first online class, being hosted over at Big Picture Classes! What's the class about? Well you all know I love my supplies - all of them! I thought I'd start by showing new card makers how to use their basic supplies in a few different ways to...
Read more →

I wanted to drop in and wish you all a safe, happy and healthy New Year in 2017. With everything going at the moment, there is no better time to spread a little arty sparkle and shine - which is exactly what I will be doing in the new year oxoxo In 2017 I'm kicking things into high gear with: My very first online class with Big Picture Classes - this one is aimed at Beginning Card Makers (more info...
Read more →

Did you know I was one of the artists who contributed work in Colleen Schaan's book Cards To Canvas? Well it's true and I'm still pinching myself! Cards To Canvas: Mixed Media Techniques for Papercrafts, is a book designed for crafters who want to LEARN some stamping and cardmaking techniques, DABBLE in some mixed media fun, and then APPLY those techniques and mediums to canvas wall art (or desk art)! Crafters can delve into the world of mixed-media art using...
Read more →

Welcome to the 2016 Lindy's and Imaginarium Hop - a match made in heaven with fabulous chipboard elements from Imaginarium Designs and gorgeous sprays, paints and powders from Lindys! This HOP is massive! Come and join the fun with the amazing Design Teams from Lindy's and Imaginarium Designs combining their creative forces for a massive blog hop and it's starting RIGHT HERE and RIGHT NOW! There are prizes galore and so many stunning projects to inspire you! It's so easy...
Read more →

Want to create a simple black and white scrapbook layout, that's heavy on the texture and draws attention to your photo? Well, that's what I'm going to create today - so join me in having a play, whip out those sprays, reach for your embossing powders and have your embellishments at the ready. Today I'm creating a layout using minimal color, Black, White and a touch of Gold (vintage, bright and matt) and the sparkle for this project (because you...
Read more →

Ever wondered what the simplest way to create a killer dark watercolor image is and still keep it interesting and vibrant? Well for today's project I needed to do exactly that - create a dark image, full of interest and pattern using watercolors! Why - well I'm on a bit of a mission - Karl Urban (one of my Top 10 favourite actors of all time) is going to be at Comic-Con in Sydney 2016 and so am I (insert...
Read more →

I don't know about all of you out there but I ADORE Tim Holtz, I've even been lucky enough to attend 2 of his live, in person classes and meet him - yes there is a little hero worship happening - how could I resist an amazing artist and a really genuinely nice guy!! Tim creates THE MOST divine grungy backgrounds and projects and I love following along and creating with him. My problem begins when I've finished creating my...
Read more →

Want to start Doodling but a bit overwhelmed and confused about the styles of doodling and what the differences are? Well in this post I'll take a look at the different styles of doodling (or repetitive art forms) and discuss what makes each of them unique. There five main styles or types of doodle based art are: Zentangle ® Zendoodling Stendoodling Mandalas and Doodle Art Each style or type has its own specific characteristics and forms and all are equally...
Read more →

I KNOW many of you reading this will have blogs or websites of your own, so I thought you may like to come along on this Blog Overhaul journey with me! Whether your blog is on TypePad or not, much the information I'll be discussing in this series '10 Ways To Improve Your Blog' is universal. Let's begin with the most important thing you can do to improve your blog! If you have a blog or a site you NEED...
Read more →

Feeling a little teary and nostalgic today, I've been on the Design Team for Lindy's Stamp Gang since 2010 and as of yesterday, I am no longer one of the LSG Designers. I'm a little bit sad, as this has been so much fun and an amazing experience, but I'm also excited about what comes next - I'm also not really leaving (Lindy's is my TRIBE!). Don't feel sad for me, this was my choice, the wonderful Tracey owner of...
Read more →

Just a quick little clip today, I thought I'd share how I change the colour of paper flowers that aren't quite right for the project I want to use them on. This technique is wonderful, as not only is the colour coverage excellent but it also makes the flower more durable - so it's great for projects that may get a bit of wear! Now there isn't a whole lot to this technique so I won't fuss about creating photo...
Read more →

Mmmmm June's Colour Challenge colours are from the Grease themed Beauty School Dropout set from Lindy's Stamp Gang, and they are pretty and fun - so what did I do - I watered them down and used them to add extremely subtle colour to a journal page! I have to say - I tried a new way of using my Magical powders and I am in love all over again. You can grab this gorgeous special edition set and matching...
Read more →

Hi All - I thought you might like a peek at my new art studio, please be kind as I've only recently moved in and have not yet found homes for everything! Truth be told it's a royal mess right now and I'm still looking for ways to organise, store and make the most of my space, so any suggestions or products - I'd love to hear them :) ; Enjoy this little look at my creative space,
Read more →

Today I'm going to look at 3 different ways to create vintage or grunge effects using your Lindy's Stamp Gang products. Now there are WAY more than 3 ways to do this, but I thought I'd share my 'go to' techniques, the ones that always work, are practically fool-proof and are all quick to do - the result, instant vintage grungy goodness for any project. 1. Vintage / Grunge Background Begin by glueing scraps of paper onto a tag (or...
Read more →

Hello again - I hope you are all having an amazing month - I am, you know the kind of month where you walk around smiling, happy and singing to yourself - well that's me right now! The Lindy's Stamp Gang Color Challenge palette for May is stunning - absolutely stunning - it pairs some of my absolute favourite Lindy's colours of al time! I felt completely inspired by these colors so I decided to be brave and try something...
Read more →

Hello to all my beautiful subscribers and first-time readers. Just wanted to give you all a little 'heads-up' - I'm feeling like it's time for a tidy up and a change for my blog and maybe the Sparkle Tart YouTube site. Please don't be concerned if you notice things appearing or disappearing, or looking a bit different. I'm not going anywhere, but I feel like it's time for a little refresh and perhaps even a slightly different look - basically...
Read more →

Anyone else out there have trouble throwing away scraps of pretty papers or card, or bit's you've cut off other projects that have interesting colours or patterns, or ANYTHING sparkly??? Come on I KNOW you do - who can throw away bits of Lindy's starburst paper gorgeousness. So to help you use some of that stockpiled yumminess I'm going to show you a really simple idea for using scraps to make a fun card suitable for any occasion. TECHNIQUE Gather...
Read more →

Today I am using Copic Various Inks (Alcohol Inks) to colour an unusual material and create a unique and vibrant Copic coloured poppy canvas - it's just a bit of fun today. What's the unusual material? Empty Soft drink/Soda/Pop cans, though you could use thin metal sheets or even metal coated cardstock if you have any. TECHNIQUE Using X-Press It Triple Tac Glue (or other matt glue) adhere some pretty soft coloured FabScraps papers onto your canvas. You may like...
Read more →

The LSG Challenge colours for April are just so fresh and vibrant - I was really looking forward to playing with some of these! So to have a little fun! This is the first project I've been able to complete having moved into our new house. ** CONFESSION ** I haven't finished putting everything away just yet and the majority of the room is a hideous mess - but I'm working on it. By necessity I could only work on...
Read more →